Franklin Graham Has It Wrong on Trump

The false premise of our current political debate is that we have to vote for a less evil man in order to save the country.

Once again, after the latest debauch-fest by Trump is revealed, another evangelical leader came forth telling fellow believers we must vote for this Cretan. One of the reoccurring themes we have seen in this election cycle has been evangelical leaders, who absolutely chastised Bill Clinton while he was in office for his moral turpitude, now turning and supporting one who is just as morally depraved. These leaders are doing so have some inkling of hope in the Supreme Court, as if our hope is ever to be in the Supreme Court. In the process, they are losing legitimacy in their witness by selling out their values. I know they mean well. They are doing what they can to “save the nation.” And therein lies the problem. We are not called, anywhere in Scripture, to save the nation. We cannot save the nation.

This is one on the reasons I feel this country is being handed over to our own sin. We keep looking to candidates and courts to save us.

Why do we continue to do this? We do so because many in the church have a false view of God’s sovereignty. Yes, this is a theological issue. Many evangelicals are under the false premise that Jesus died on the cross to save us, and everything else is left up to us. But this is not the God of scripture. The God of scripture is one that has ordained all things that come to pass, including our current two candidates. We really have no control over this in the least. This is the great lie of our country. Through the electoral process, we are told, that we are captains of our fate, when in reality, the Captain of all things is God alone. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it this way:

Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.

When you realize that God is completely sovereign in all things, then hopefully we will realize how little control we really have over the future direction of this wicked nation. That is one of my hopes in writing this. Saving this nation is not our goal.

Our goal is worshiping our God in Spirit and Truth, and being faithful to the calling He has placed on our lives. The future of the nation, any nation, is NOT our responsibility. God has not given us that realm of control, and we fool ourselves when we mistakenly believe that we do have control over such realms.

This is why it is so frustrating to see evangelical leaders, who should know better, telling us that the future of the country is dependent upon our actions.

This is where Franklin Graham comes into the picture. He has come out and told us our only hope for the United States is God. Which, it is. But then binds our conscience to vote for darkness when we already know that only God can bring about a good, moral nation. The problem is that God has chosen not to do so. He is not working through this, or any nation, and has not done so since the covenant of Moses.

Franklin Graham writes:

The crude comments made by Donald J. Trump more than 11 years ago cannot be defended. But the godless progressive agenda of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton likewise cannot be defended. I am not endorsing any candidates in this election. I have said it throughout this presidential campaign, and I will say it again—both candidates are flawed. The only hope for the United States is God. Our nation’s many sins have permeated our society, leading us to where we are today. But as Christians we can’t back down from our responsibility to remain engaged in the politics of our nation. On November 8th we will all have a choice to make. The two candidates have very different visions for the future of America. The most important issue of this election is the Supreme Court. That impacts everything. There’s no question, Trump and Clinton scandals might be news for the moment, but who they appoint to the Supreme Court will remake the fabric of our society for our children and our grandchildren, for generations to come.

First off, please note the duplicity in his statement. Graham says that he is not endorsing any of the candidates in this election, but then makes the case that our only hope is in the election. The implication is that our nation’s survival is wrapped up in Trump. Or maybe he means Hillary? Not sure. It could go either way. But again, the fact that He puts the future fabric of our nation on our shoulders shows that he is misguided as a believer, for the fabric of this nation cannot be changed by a court. The gospel of Christ is our only hope. That’s it. Nothing beyond the preaching of the gospel will change society, because the gospel is the only tool we have been given that can lead to a change of men, women, and children. If we want morality, it will not come through the courts.

This is one of the reasons I believe that the LORD, who is sovereign over all things, has given us these two wicked candidates. He is testing to see who will stand with the truth of Scripture, who will bow the knee.

That means we are completely, totally, utterly, without reservation, dependent upon God to bring about the change that is necessary for this nation. The fallen-human courts are not where our hope lies.

The reality is that our goal is not to save this nation, or that God is going to save it. That is a false premise. The only thing that matters is whether or not we follow Him, and His Law, as believers. We cannot add a single day to our lives, much less change the course of a nation. That is God’s realm of control. He may raise up just and good rulers, but He may not. Our trust is to be in Him either way.

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8 thoughts on “Franklin Graham Has It Wrong on Trump”

Tim, this is the 2nd time you’ve used that cartoon. I really like it. Now, it’s not actually an accurate depiction of the situation — most Christians aren’t seeking to worship Trump — but I get it and I like it.

Just wait a little while, Stan. They may not realize they are longing for a king to worship. If it’s not Trump, then it will be the one who comes after him promising to restore the glories of “this Christian nation”. Human “messiah” worship is the natural outcome of both collapsed democracy and celebrity culture.

Thank you for this message. Very well said and honoring to God. It is sad to hear the SCOTUS argument as a reason to support trump. It was a republican majority SCOTUS that voted in abortion via the roe v. Wade decision. It was a 7 to 2 decision. There is no guarantee of righteousness via SCOTUS, trump, republicans, etc…only the righteousness of Christ. Only God can save a nation.

Good God-glorifying article brother! For much too long we here in the USA have (albeit unwittingly) tried to “Americanize” Christianity. Too many are essentially “proud to be an American” and too fearful to be Scripture-honoring faithful Christians. Many in essence demand God to endorse their “Amercianism.” Christians should know that even if our Government passed the Ten Commandments into law and posted them on every public place, it could not regenerate/save one single soul. Besides, what “Democratic” government do we see in Scripture where God’s people had the right to vote for their national rulers/leaders. Don’t get me wrong. Nothing is wrong with Democracy in and of itself. The point is that God gives principles in His word for Christians to live by and apply concerning any government anywhere at any period in time. So in light of 1 Timothy 2:1-4, as Christians, our main “political” focus is not really “voting” for leaders who will “promote” and “enforce” Biblical laws. Instead, it is praying to God that He would set up leaders that would be saved. And whether He saves them or not, pray He would move their hearts to establish/maintain laws that permit the advancement/proclamation of the gospel and God’s kingdom. And this is something we all can pray whether or not we even have the right to vote. And even if the government persecutes us and seeks to prohibit us, remember, even if they imprison us for the sake of Christ, the word of God cannot be imprisoned (2 Timothy 2:8-9). Again brother, wonderful and timely article. I stand with you in prayer and practice. Amen.